Central at No. 24 in national men’s track poll

Central Dutch Athletics

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — Entering into the NCAA Division III Outdoor track and field championships this weekend, the Central College men’s and field team is No. 24 in the USTFCCCA Division III Outdoor Track and Field National Team Computer Rankings.

Points in the National Team Computer Rankings are based off placement in the National Descending Order Lists. The higher an athlete sits on the list, the more points he or she adds to his or her team’s total. These points do not reflect placement or scoring at the NCAA Championships, but is to show the individuals and teams that have the best chances at scoring well at said meet.

Mark Fairley (senior, Dubuque) enters the national meet as the top seed in the 3,000-meter steeplechase (8 minutes, 57.39 seconds). He also won the Iowa Conference title in the event two weeks ago.

Will Daniels (sophomore, Geneseo, Ill.) has only completed one decathlon this season and it was over a month ago, but he is still the No. 4 seeded athlete with 6,673 points. The winner of the heptathlon crown at the national indoor meet in March, Daniels is vying for a sweep of the combined events in 2018.

Ryan Kruse (senior, St. Clair, Minn.) threw his season-best mark of 200 feet, 10 inches in the javelin throw on the opening weekend of the outdoor season in March. Injuries hampered him much of the season but he’ll still have a chance for a spot on the podium as the No. 16 seed.

In the regional rankings, Central stayed at No. 5

Fairley, Daniels and Kruse will all compete this weekend in La Crosse at the national meet starting on Thursday morning.